City Matters: COVID-19 Bulletin March 26

City news

• Based on the recommendation of KFL&A Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, the City closed the beach area of Breakwater Park and Gord Downie Pier to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the community.
• Kingston Police and the City’s Bylaw Enforcement team are enforcing current regulations under the Province’s orders (see the Province’s announcement), the Section 22 Order issued by KFL&A Public Health and this new Breakwater Park/Gord Downie Pier closure order. Please call Kingston Police’s non-emergency number to report gatherings of concern at 613-549-4660.
   

News from community partners

• Dr. Moore has confirmed that 42.1 per cent of cases reported within KFL&A in the last 7-day period ending on March 18 are variants of concern and provincially, Ontario is reporting 2380 new cases, a sharp rise in total cases with an average provincial variant positivity of 49.1 per cent (same time period).
• KFL&A Public Health recommends adherence to these strategies.
  • Access asymptomatic testing if you have travelled or had visitors from outside our region to detect positive COVID-19 cases early.
  • Isolate for at least 10 days if you have a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 and isolate for at least 14 days if you've had a high risk contact, including any household contacts. Variants of concern are more infectious; the province now recommends individuals around someone exposed to this virus should stay home. Refer to the Section 22 Class Order to enforce self-isolation requirements in KFL&A region for more information on how to safely self-isolate.
  • Have no more than 5 people in social gatherings indoors and outdoors within the City of Kingston as per The Section 22 Class Order to limit social gatherings (see section below for more information).

• KFL&A Public Health has revised and extended the Section 22 Order with the main focus on continuing to prohibit gatherings of more than 5 persons, and lifted several restrictions on businesses where public health measures are already in place to keep the community safe.
• Social gatherings include recreational activities such as functions, parties, dinners, or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, or parks, that are not monitored or staffed by a business or organization.
• The social gathering limit does not apply to members of the same household (which may include a caregiver or single individual who has exclusive contact with the household).

• If you are eligible to schedule an appointment book online: www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine 
• If you require assistance with booking, have a red and white health card, or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, call: 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• If you do not have a health card, email address or phone number call 343-477-0172; open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please DO NOT contact KFL&A Public Health’s main line to inquire about booking appointments, vaccine information, or to check eligibility requirements.
• Residents are being asked to follow local news sources and/or KFL&A Public Health’s Twitter feed (follow @KFLAPH or visit https://twitter.com/KFLAPH), so that they will be aware when they are eligible to book.